Issue 312

The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (EHAHRD-Net) is appalled by the continued killing of innocent civilians in Kenya, which has so far claimed over 300 lives, including HRDs.

According to the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) EHAHRD-Net’s Focal Point for Kenya, one human rights defender Anthony Njui, a former Catholic Justice and Peace Commission National Secretary (CJPC) was reportedly murdered in the ongoing tribal killings following President Mwai Kibaki’s re-election. Another HRD Nahashon Gachihi working with IMLU is now displaced, having been forced to move out of Huruma Estate under similar circumstances.

“The Government of Kenya must do everything within its means to protect the lives of its citizens. We urge the concerned parties to work together with the diplomatic missions, human rights organisations and international observers, to find an immediate and lasting solution to the current political and humanitarian crisis in order to save the people of Kenya from further misery and suffering,” says Hassan Shire Sheikh, Chairperson EHAHRDP/Net.

EHAHRD-Net commends the efforts of IMLU and all the human rights organisations in Kenya that are working tirelessly to document and highlight the ongoing human rights violations. As a Network, we understand the challenges you are going through and urge you to remain firm as you continue to advocate for others’ rights.

APPEAL

EHAHRD-Net calls upon the Kenyan authorities to properly investigate into the murder of Anthony Njui and all other innocent civilians that have been killed, and ensure that the perpetrators face the due process of the law;

We also urge the international community to ensure that the conflicting political parties in Kenya are reconciled and that the current political unrest is properly addressed according to internationally agreed standards;

We further call upon the Kenyan authorities and the international community to provide urgent assistance to those that have fled the current violence to avoid more deaths that might result from hunger and ill health of the refugees.

We urge all our Network members to condemn the killings in Kenya and demand that the Kenyan authorities immediately find a lasting solution to the current political crisis.

Send appeals to:

Kenya

President

H.E. President Mwai. Kibaki, Harambee House, Harambee Avenue, P.O. Box 30510, Nairobi, Kenya

Fax: +254 20 313 600

Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of Justice

Martha Karua, Justice Minister, State Law Office, Harambee Avenue, PO Box 40112, Nairobi, Kenya

Fax: +254 20 316 317

Salutation: Dear Minister

BACKGROUND

Kenyan HRDs with the guidance of EHAHRD-Net recently formed a National Coalition in a bid to enhance their own protection and to strengthen their voices collectively. The Kenya National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders was launched on November 29 th 2007 and brings together eight regional and special interest networks from across the country. While passing the Nairobi Declaration calling upon all relevant stakeholders and most prominently the Government of Kenya to respect and promote the rights of human rights defenders. More than 50 prominent HRDs meeting at the Lenana Mount Hotel from 26 th to 29 th November 2007, noted the following challenges among others: political persecution, lack of recognition of human rights defenders especially women human rights defenders and defenders protecting the rights of minority groups; repeated arrests and harassment by government authorities; malicious prosecutions; and impunity and lack of redress of rights violations experienced by defenders.

The Kenya National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders seeks to reinforce the potential of individual defenders by providing support and protection in their often dangerous endeavours to protect the rights of others. The Coalition is formed by five regional networks and three special interest groups.

Mr. Samuel Mohochi, the Executive Director of Independent Medico-Legal Unit, was elected as the National Coordinator of the Kenya National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders and could be reached for further details on phone number: +254722818420

Regional Coordination Office
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS PROJECT (EHAHRDP)
Human Rights House, Plot 1853, Lulume Rd., Nsambya
P.O. Box 70356 Kampala, Uganda
Phone: +256-414-510263(general)/ext.112
+256-414-267118(direct)
Fax: +256-414-267117
E-mail: ehahrdp@yahoo.ca, hshire@yorku.ca
Website: http://www.yorku.ca/crs/AHRDP/index.html

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